Just hours before the start of negotiations in Egypt, Israeli representatives and the International Red Cross met to coordinate the release of the hostages
The delegations of Israel and Hamas are scheduled to arrive in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where they will negotiate with the mediation of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.
Although Benjamin Netanyahu accepted Trump's plan and Hamas gave its initial approval, the terrorist group requested to review some points, especially the timelines and maps of the Israeli withdrawal.
Israel's coordinator for hostage affairs, Gal Hirsch, held a meeting this Sunday with the regional head of the International Red Cross, Julian Larison, ahead of the negotiations that will take place in Egypt to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
"Preparatory meeting this morning with Mr. Julian Larison, head of the Red Cross delegation", Hirsch posted on his X account, along with a photograph of the meeting.
The dialogue is taking place at a key moment, as Israel and the terrorist group Hamas are set to begin indirect talks in Egypt. The negotiations will revolve around the peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which seeks to end the war and ensure the immediate release of the hostages.
Currently, 48 people remain captive in Gaza, of whom Israeli authorities estimate that 20 are still alive. The kidnappings took place during the October 7, 2023, attack, in which Hamas killed 1,219 people—mostly civilians—and captured 251 Israelis.
The International Red Cross plays a central role as an intermediary between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorist militias. Its mission is to oversee and transport released hostages, ensuring their safe handover to Israeli authorities.
In the same way, the organization coordinates the transfer of released Hamas terrorists in exchanges to Gaza, the West Bank, or Egypt, according to the terms of the agreement.
The plan promoted by Trump includes a 72-hour ceasefire, the full release of the hostages, a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army, and the disarmament of Hamas. The U.S. president warned on Saturday that he will not "tolerate delays" in the implementation of the agreement.
Meanwhile, Hamas demanded the complete suspension of Israeli military operations throughout the Gaza Strip, including bombings and drone overflights, as a precondition for the ceasefire.
The Islamist terrorist movement stated that, if an agreement is reached, it will cease its armed operations along with the other factions of the "resistance."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that, if an agreement is reached, Israeli bombings must cease to allow the release of the hostages and facilitate humanitarian assistance.
Trump sent his special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Egypt to closely follow the talks and ensure the implementation of the peace plan.
